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Christians raise $400 to help ailing atheist who railed against their nativity

When Patrick Greene learned that a county five hours north of his San Antonio home had placed a nativity on the courthouse square, he vowed to file suit if they did it again, the Malakoff News reported. An atheist, Greene did not believe the religious symbol of Christmas had any place on government property.

Then, as quickly as he blew into Henderson County, he withdrew. He would not lead a rally, he told reporters there, because he believed he suffered from a detached retina and was going blind. He had to leave his job as a taxi driver, he elaborated, and he did not have health insurance, according to the Malakoff News.

Greene thought his short foray into Henderson County ended there, but a group of Christians organized to offer him money, the Malakoff News reported.

Jessica Crye of Athens, TX, a member of San Springs Baptist Church, organized the fundraiser. She said that while others in her community were relieved to hear about Greene’s eye condition, she saw the situation differently.

“Why not turn this into something else? This is a great opportunity to turn the other cheek and show God's love,” she told TylerPaper.com. Erick Graham, her pastor, said they didn’t have time to think or pray about the decision. “We don't discriminate on who we help, whether they are Christians or non-Christians, church members or not,” Graham told TylerPaper.com. “We just help those with a need.”

Several Henderson County Christians offered to pay for Greene’s eye surgery, but he refused. The surgery wasn’t guaranteed and he said he didn’t want to waste their money.

They asked how they could help and Greene, who was in the Air Force for eight years, admitted that he needed money for groceries until he sorted out his social security. When a check arrived for $400, he was surprised and touched. “They said they wanted to do what real Christians are supposed to do – love you – and they wanted to help,” Greene told TylerPaper.com.

Greene asked a friend to spread the word on how he spent the money:

“Our cat now has enough food until our social security checks arrive,” Greene wrote by e-mail. His cat is named Big Boy. “We also have enough food until then. We did not spend any of it on beer or liquor, because not any of the three of us drink any kind of liquor. We did not spend any of it on sports, because all three of us hate sports. Me, my wife and our cat. Our cat is very much into bird watching.”

Recently, Greene has discovered that he also has glaucoma. He set up a blog to solicit help, which he said pains him to do. Some of those donations come from atheists, some from Christians.

In an interesting twist, a property manager has suggested he move to Henderson County, where the rent is cheaper and where he and his wife would be within walking distance of Wal-Mart, a good thing because they don't have a car. Given the people he's met from there, it doesn't sound like such a bad idea. He, his wife and Big Boy are packing their bags.

Despite his actions against the religious symbol, Christians came together to raise funds for him and his wife to purchase groceries after he fell ill. Now, as a result of the kind gesture, Greene has reportedly announced that he has become a Christian — and that he wants to enter ministry.

For those of you who are Christian--this is how you deal with atheists.

Atheist Activist Who Threatened to Sue to Stop Texas Nativity Has Become a Christian

This is one of those stories that seems too good to be true. Last month, we told you about Patrick Greene, an atheist activist who threatened to sue over the presence of a nativity scene in Athens, Texas.

Despite his actions against the religious symbol, Christians came together to raise funds for him and his wife to purchase groceries after he fell ill. Now, as a result of the kind gesture, Greene has reportedly announced that he has become a Christian — and that he wants to enter ministry.

It’s only been two months since the atheist was threatening to wage a legal war against the nativity scene in Henderson County. But something changed over the past 60 days. After residents found out that Greene was suffering from a serious eye condition that could lead to blindness and he was forced to retire, Christians‘ kindness transformed Greene’s worldview. >>>

Greene says his wife, who remains an atheist, is surprised by his conversion. That being said, he claims the two are able to cope with their differences without putting one another down or bashing the other’s beliefs. >>>

The atheist-turned Christian is also hoping he can inspire more people to read the Bible regularly. And he is no longer opposed the nativity scene he originally railed against so vehemently. He penned a letter to the Freedom From Religion Foundation explaining why the group’s views on the matter are incorrect and, as previously reported, purchased a star for the nativity scene.

It seems that turning the other cheek as the Christians did, while showing love can, indeed, have a positive impact.

The scene of St. Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus has been retold many times and is symbolical of the many conversions which have been effected by the grace of the Holy Spirit from that day until the present.

....

The 21st century. The age of Smart phones and Stupid people.

It is said that branches draw their life from the vine. Each is separate yet all are one as they share one life giving stem . The Bible tells us we are called to a similar union in life, our lives with the life of God. We are incorporated into him; made sharers in his life. Apart from this union we can do nothing.

It is said that branches draw their life from the vine. Each is separate yet all are one as they share one life giving stem . The Bible tells us we are called to a similar union in life, our lives with the life of God. We are incorporated into him; made sharers in his life. Apart from this union we can do nothing.